Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Implications from Decision Science for the Systems Development Life Cycle in Information Systems

  • Published:
Information Systems Frontiers Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nomology, a decision science approach to structuring qualitative decisions, is used to show that the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) corresponds to a generic structure based on a Convincing process embedded within a Committing process, both of which were formalised originally by Kant as dialectical processes. The key decision issue in the SDLC is shown to be that of ownership of the process by the decision-maker. Consequently the decision when to move from one stage of development to the next should be determined ‘subjectively’ by the decision-maker or organisation. Comparing the SDLC with other similarly structured systems suggests that each stage of the SDLC is best implemented ‘objectively’ as an Adjusting process in which balance should be retained with regard to three issues, what should be done, where should it be done, and which way should it be done. Also, the generic nature of the structure suggests that practitioners could borrow from similar decision processes in other fields, including hierarchies of activities, types of thinking and Oriental philosophy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Andersen N, Kensing F, Lundin J, Mathiassen L, Munk-Madsen A, Rasbech M, Sorgaard P. Professional Systems Development: Experience, Ideas and Action. Hemel Hempstead: Prentice-Hall, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Avison DE, Fitzgerald G. Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools, 2nd edn. London: McGraw-Hill, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bhaskar R.ARealist Theory of Science. In Archer M, Bhaskar R, Collier A, Lawson & Norrie A. eds. Critical Realism: Essential Readings. London: Routledge, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brugha C. The Appraisal and Alleviation of Transportation Needs in a Conurbation. Unpublished MBA dissertation, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, 1974.

  5. Brugha C. The Structure of Qualitative Decision Making. European Journal of Operational Research, 1998;104(1):46–62.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brugha C. The Structure of Adjustment Decision Making. European Journal of Operational Research, 1998;104(1):63–76.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brugha C. The Structure of Development Decision Making. European Journal of Operational Research, 1998;104(1):77–92.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Brugha C. A generic change management decision model. In: Matching Technology With Organisational Needs, Proceedings of the 3rd UKAIS Conference, Lincoln University, Chapter 39, 1998, 420–430. (ISBN 0–07–709454–9).

  9. Brugha C. Considering WSR in the Context of Nomology. A generic meta model for systems studies. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Systems Science and Systems Engineering (ICSSSE) Beijing, China, 1998.

  10. Brugha C. Information Systems Development: Who Owns the Decision? Systemist, 1998; 20:48–63, special edition. (ISSN 0961–8309).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Brugha C. Trust and commitment in relationship marketing. In: Proceedings of the IMP Conference, Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin, 1999.

  12. Brugha C. An Introduction to the Priority-Pointing Procedure. Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, 2000;227–242.

  13. Checkland P. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Churchman CW. The Systems Approach and Its Enemies. New York: Basic Books, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Foucault M. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. New York: Vintage/Random House, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Foucault M. The History of Sexuality. Volume 1: An Introduction. New York: Vintage/Random House, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Galliers RD. Strategic Information Systems Planning: Myths, Reality and Guidelines for Successful Implementation. European Journal of Information Systems, 1991;1:55–64.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Galliers RD, Sutherland AR. Information Systems Management and Strategy Formulation: The 'Stages of Growth' Model Revisited. J. of Information Systems, 1991;1:89–114.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Gu J, Zhu Z. The Wuli Shili Renli Approach: An Oriental Systems Methodology. In: Midgley G. & Wilby J. eds., Systems Methodology: Possibilities for Cross-Cultural Learning and Integration. England: Centre for Systems Studies, University of Hull, 1995;29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hamilton W. Lectures on Metaphysics, Vols. 1 & 2, 6th edn. In Lectures on Metaphysics and Logic, Edinburgh & London: William Blackwood & Sons, 1877.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hofstede G. Culture's Consequences, London: Sage Publications, Inc, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Honey P, Mumford A. Using Your Learning Styles. 2nd edn., Maidenhead, Berks., England: Honey, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Iivari J, Hirscheim R, Klein HK. A Paradigmatic Analysis Contrasting Information Systems Development Approaches and Methodologies. Information Systems Research, 1998;9(2): 164–193.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Inwood M. Hegel. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Johnsen E. Strategic Analysis and Synthesis-An Axiomatic Model. Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School Management Research Institute, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Jung C. Psychological Types. In: The Collected Works of C. J. Jung Volume 6. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kant I. Critique of Pure Reason. Translated by Norman Kemp Smith. London: Macmillan, (First published in 1929), 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kant I. Critique of Judgement. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kubler-Ross E. On Death and Dying. New York: Macmillan, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Maslow A. Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper & Row, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Matthews J. The World Atlas of Divination. England: Twichenham, Tiger Books International, 1998, p. 138.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Mearman A. Towards a Critical Realist Econometric Methodology, Faculty of Business & Management Working Paper No. 31/March, University of Lincolnshire & Humberside, ISSN 1465–2838, 1999.

  33. O'Brien JA. Management Information Systems: A Managerial End User Perspective. Second edn. Irwin: Homewood, IL, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Peace Pilgrim Steps Toward Inner Peace. Friends of Peace Pilgrim, 43480 Cedar Avenue, Hemet, California 92544, 1981.

  35. Peter T, Waterman R. In Search of Excellence.NewYork: Harper & Row, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Peters T, Waterman R. Successful American Companies. Marketing Classics-A Selection of Influential Articles. 7th edn., Enis B. & Cox K. ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Pierce C. In Hartshorne C. & Weiss P. eds., Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Pierce. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1867.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Secter M. I Ching Clarified: A Practical Guide. Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Secter M. The Yin-Yang System of Ancient China: The Yijing-Book of Changes as a Pragmatic Metaphor for Change Theory. David Lam Center for International Communication, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver (Burnaby), British Columbia, Canada, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Simon H. The New Science of Management Decisions. rev. edn. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Ulrich W. Critical Heuristics of Social Planning-A New Approach to Practical Philosophy. New York: JohnWiley & Sons, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Waterman R, Peters T, Phillips J. Structure Is Not Organisation. Business Horizons June, 1980;23(3):14–26.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Waterman R. The Seven Elements of Strategic Fit. The Journal of Business Strategy, 1982;2(3): winter:333–339.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Whitten J, Bentley L, Barlow V. Systems Analysis and Design Methods. 2nd edn., IRWIN, 1989.

  45. Whitten J, Bentley L, Barlow V. Systems Analysis and Design Methods. 3rd edn., IRWIN, 1994.

  46. Whitten J, Bentley L. Systems Analysis and Design Methods. 4th edn., Homewood, IL, IRWIN/McGraw-Hill, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  47. William of Ockam Ockam's Razor or Principle of Economic Thought. In: Bahr L. & Johnston B., eds., Collier's Encyclopedia. New York: P.F. Collier, Inc., 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Woolfe R. The Path to Strategic Alignment. Information Strategy: The Executive's Journal, 1993; Winter:13–23.

  49. Zhu Z. Cultural imprints in systems methodologies: The WSR case. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Systems Science and Systems Engineering (ICSSSE), Beijing, China, 1998.

  50. Zhu Z. WSR: A Systems Approach for Information Systems Development. Systems Research and Behavioural Sciences, 2000;17(2):183–203.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, University College Dublin, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland

    Cathal M. Brugha

Authors
  1. Cathal M. Brugha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brugha, C.M. Implications from Decision Science for the Systems Development Life Cycle in Information Systems. Information Systems Frontiers 3, 91–105 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011405805771

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011405805771

Search

Navigation